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Yesterday, 2 of the 3 remaining spots in the Eastern Conference playoff race were determined. The Brooklyn Nets beat the Indiana Pacers, 108-96, which confirmed their presence in the playoffs for the first time since 2014-15.
The other team who made the playoffs were the Orlando Magic, who beat the tough Boston Celtics in a huge 116-108 win. This confirmed their spot in the post-season as well for the first time since 2011-12.
With 2 of the 3 remaining post-season spots confirmed, there is just 1 spot that is left and 3 teams that are still in contention for it. With 2 games left for all 3 of these teams, let us look at the chances of the teams still left in contention.
#3 Miami Heat (38-42):
The Miami Heat are currently one of the 3 teams in contention for the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference. They have a 38-42 record and have won just 4 of their last 10 games. Further, they are the team completely out of form, as they have lost their last 4 games in a row.
They are sitting in the 10th spot, tied with the Charlotte Hornets who are at the 9th place but hold the tie breaker over them. The Heat are 1 game behind the 8th placed Detroit Pistons, who right now, look set to make it to the playoffs.
The games that the Heat have left are of a higher difficulty than compared to the other 2 teams. They face the Philadelphia 76ers tomorrow, at the American Airlines Arena, which will be Dwyane Wade's final regular season home game.
This game is a really tough one for the Heat and they definitely need to win both of their remaining matches. The last game is against the Brooklyn Nets, who have already confirmed their playoff spot and will be playing just for seeding.
Of the other 2 teams, the Heat's chances look bleak considering the toughness of their opponents in the last 2 matches, with both teams already playoff bound. The Heat can definitely do it, but it is a huge ask.
Chances: 4/10
#2 Charlotte Hornets (38-42):
The Charlotte Hornets are being carried by Kemba Walker into the playoffs this season, currently with a 38-42 record in the Eastern Conference, tied with the Miami Heat, who are in 10th. They are also just 1 game behind the 8th placed Detroit Pistons and hold a tie breaker over both the teams vying for the final playoff spot.
The Hornets have been one of hottest teams coming into the final stretch of the season and have won 7 of their last 10 matches. They are also the team that is in-form when compared to the other 2 teams in contention and have won 3 games in a row.
The Hornets have 2 games left to play, the first of which is against the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road and the final game of the regular season against the Orlando Magic at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
Their fixtures are way easier than the one the Miami Heat has remaining, as they play a team looking to tank in the Cavaliers and they face an already qualified team in the Orlando Magic as they might look to rest a few crucial players before the playoffs and only play for seeding.
Charlotte Hornets will be looking to secure their first post season run since 2015-16 and this one being so much more important as they will look to show Kemba Walker their competitiveness so that he can re sign with them in the off season.
The Pistons currently hold the 1 game advantage over them, but the Hornets need to win both their games and hope that the Pistons, given their poor run of form, finally slip up and let them go through in to the post season.
Chances: 6.5/10
#1 Detroit Pistons (39-41):
The Detroit Pistons are the team currently in the driver's seat for the final spot in the playoffs from the Eastern Conference. They have a 39-41 record and are 8th in the East, but their recent form spells trouble for them.
The Pistons have won just 3 of their last 10 matches, making it difficult for themselves. They have also lost their last 4 games in a row, which has given teams like the Hornets and the Heat a chance to make to the playoffs.
But, with all this said, The Pistons have the easiest set of games among all 3 of the teams that are vying for the playoffs. The Detroit Pistons play the Memphis Grizzlies tomorrow at home and then they go on the road for their final game against the New York Knicks at the Madison Square Garden.
Both teams that the Pistons have to face are looking to tank and finish with as bad a record as they can. The Grizzlies and the Knicks are both out of the playoff picture and have no real reason to win.
The Pistons just have themselves to blame if they miss yet another off season, their last coming in 2015-16 season. They have the easiest set of games among the remaining 3 teams and barring just some horrendous basketball from them, they should end up making the playoffs.
Chances: 9/10
